Floor surfacing machine



Aug. 23, 1938. F. E. WADHAMS FLOOR SURFACING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1955 fiedekwl; Iliad/1427725 52W 86 9 Aug. 23, 1938. F. E, wADHAMg 2,127,851

1 FLOOR SURFACING MACHINE Filedflov. 1, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fi'edefic/ai? Wadizame,

Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNITED STATES FLOOR SURFACING MACHINEv Frederick E. Wadhams, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Lincoln-Schlueter Floor Machinery 00., Inc., Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Application November 1, 1935, Serial No. 47,863

7 Claims.

In machines of this character it is desirable to have the parts rigidly constructed and assembled, and to have the bearings well housed 10 and of a good construction. Nevertheless, in

order for the machine to be adapted for the different functions mentioned, it is necessary that the sanding drum be easily replaced by a polishing brush, or that any other desired floor surfacing element be employed in the machine as a whole. These different and, in some cases, opposite requirements have been reconciled in the present invention by providing a plurality of interchangeable assembled units, one including the brush and another a sanding drum, and both including bearings assembled in bearing housings, the housings themselves being readily attached to and detached from the frame of the machine.

It has long been recognized as very desirable in a sanding operation to provide a vacuum device for cleaning up the waste developed by this operation. In the past this has been accomplished by the use of a fixed intake nozzle adjacent the sanding drum and connected to a suc tion fan. If such a fixed construction were used for steel wool it would not be satisfactory because if the nozzle were positioned to just clear the floor when the steel wool was fresh and thick on its mounting in the machine, the nozzle would very shortly bear against the floor as the steel wool was worn down, and prevent operation of the machine. On the other hand, if the nozzle were positioned properly for the steel wool after it was worn down, it'would be too high when the steel wool was fresh, and fail to catch the steel wool which would then scatter over the floor.

The danger of this practice, particularly in bakeries and other food establishments, schools and the like, where the steel wool fragments might get into food, or, as in schools, where the children might scuff it up and then inhale the same, is readily appreciated.

The present invention overcomes these difficulties by providinga nozzle which is adjustable with respect to the remainder of the machine, and which may be locked in place slightly out of contact with the floor for sanding or polishing operations, or may be left free to slide along the floor for steel wooling in a universal action.

In the type of machine illustrated, and which has been very satisfactory commercially, it is necessary that in use the handle be rigidly connected to the machine to permit exact control of pressure on the sanding or floor treating roll and speed of movement of the machine. It is also de- 5 sirable that the handle be adjustable to suit the height of the individual operator. Although these requirements of adjustability and rigidity have heretofore been provided, the present invention contemplates an improved construction for 10 providing then, the handle being pivoted for vertical adjustment and being secured at any desired elevation by a brace pivoted to another point on the machine and clamped to the shaft of the handle at any point which will givethe desired adjustment.

From the foregoing it is evident that the objects of the invention include the provision of a machine which is suitable for a variety of purposes and which may be readily adapted for such 20 purposes, and the provision of an improved and more convenient form of handle attachment which is both rigid and adjustable.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description, taken with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the form of floor treating machinechosen for illustration in this application.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the polishing brush assembly which may be used therein.

Fig; 3 is a perspective view of the sanding drum assembly which may be used therein.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1, with certain portions broken away.

Fig. 5 is ,a bottom view of the machine illus-,

trated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a View partly in section, taken stantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

i Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 1--'l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the attachable crank.

Although this invention may take numerous forms; only one has been chosen for illustration. In this form the machine comprises a frame I l on which is mounted a motor I 2 which drives a rotary floor treating member I3 at one end of the frame II. The otherend of the frame II is supported on wheels M. The position and movement of the frame H, and consequently the action of the floor treating member I3, is controlled by the handle, which includes the gripping bars l6 and the handle shaft I1 secured to the frame or motor in a manner described below. The motor I 2 also subdrives a fan mounted inside the fan casing I9 which draws air and Waste in through the dust pan or nozzle 2| and blows them through the pipe 22 into the bag 23.

The floor treating device indicated generically by the number [3 may comprise a cylindrically shaped polishing brush 26 (Fig. 2) or a drum 21 (Fig. 3) which is preferably rubber coated and provided with means for conveniently attaching sandpaper thereto. It is preferred that the brush 26 and drum 2'! each be normally provided in the form of a complete assembly including, besides the brush or drum, a shaft 29 therein journalled in bearing housings 3| and 32 on opposite sides of the drum or brush and keyed to a driving pulley 33 on the outside of the bearing housing 32. Either one of these assembled units may be secured to the frame by screws 36 and 31. As shown best in Fig. I, the bearing housing 3| is secured to the frame I by a flange lying on the inside of the frame, preferably by screws extending through the frame I! and screwing into the flange of bearing housing 3|. The bearing housing 32 on the other hand' has flanges lying on the outside of the frame. II, the screws passing through the flange of the bearing housing 32 and screwing into the frame II. It is preferred that the screws 36 be flat headed and counter-sunk so as not to scratch a vertical surface beside which the machine may be run, but this is not necessary with respect to the screws 31. Pins 38 secured to the frame extend through holes in each bearing housing to insure proper positioning thereof.

The pulley 33 is driven by a belt 4| which extends around the pulley 33 and around a pulley 42" on the motor shaft. The pulley 42 may be integral with a pulley 43 which drives the belt 44, which in turn drives a pulley 45 keyed to the shaft of the fan.

To substitute one treating member for another it is merely necessary to remove the eight screws 35 and 3! and press the assembled treating unit toward the side on which the driving pulleys are mounted. The bearing housings then slip off of the pins 38 (Figs. 4-and 6) thus permitting pressure on the driving belt 4| to be released, and permitting the driving belt to be removed with ease. The pins 38 are provided preferably on the sides H of the frame, extending toward the right in viewing the structure from the position of Fig. 7, and fit in corresponding apertures in the bearing housing. This permits withdrawal toward the right as mentioned above. The treating member with its bearing housings and pulley is then removed and the different treating element put in place, the bearing housings being-slipped onto the'pins 38 and the screws being inserted and tightened. By turning thepulley 33, the belt 4| is then easily forced onto the pulley 33, it being much easier to force the belt on than to force it off.

When a sanding operation is to be performed, the drum is applied to the machine as described and the sandpaper isapplied to the drum in the usual manner, being drawn tight by the internal clamping device operated by the nut head 48. Access to this nut head is had between the spokes of the pulley 33 and through a hole in the bearing housing 32.

During the sanding operation the suction nozzle 2| may be secured in a position slightly above the floor by the thumb screw 5| which may screw on a rod 52 passing through one or more lugs 53 extending upwardly from the suction nozzle 2|, and, if desired, passing through the far side of the frame l|. Slots 54 are provided in which the rod 52 is raised and lowered. The suction nozzle 2| telescopes loosely within one end of the elbow member 56 which communicates at its other end with the fan housing l9.

When steel wool is to be used, it may be attached to the drum 21 in any desired manner. The preferred way of attachment is to first secure some very coarse sandpaper to the drum in the usual manner and then wind the steel wool ribbon onto the sandpaper covered drum in spiral layers. The steel wool should not be wound too close to the edge of the drum, and need not be wound with exact uniformity, since it tends to spread and level off in use. In winding, the drum should be turned in the direction in which it normally operates, so that as it operates it will not unwind. A convenient manner of turning the drum is to provide a crank, as shown in Fig. 8, having a handle 6| secured to a bar 62 in which is formed a hole 63 adapted to fit over the protruding end of the shaft 29 adjacent the pulley 33. A pin 64 is provided on the bar 62 adapted to fit into a hole 66 in the hub of the pulley 33 for rotating the pulley 33 as the crank is rotated by its handle 6|.

Before winding the steel wool on the drum, the thumb screw 5| should be loosened and the nozzle 2| drawn to its lowest position. It should be understood that before the winding operation the machine is tilted backwardly until it rests on the fan housing l9, and the gripping handle l6 being steadied also by a leg 68 which is positioned to be out of contact with the floor during the operation of the machine. The steel wool may be supplied on a roll which may be rotatably supported on a suitable rack.

When a sufficient amount of steel wool is wound on the drum 21, the machine is uprighted so that the drum rests on the floor. The thumb screw 5| may be left loose so that the vacuum nozzle 2| may ride along the floor, thus being automatically properly positioned as the steel wool wears down. It may be mentioned that for any operation it is preferred to raise the floor treating member l3 off the floor while the motor is being; started, and lower it gradually onto the floor with the desired pressure while restraining the machine from being moved too fast. steel wool it is especially desirable that the pressure be light at first until the steel wool has adjusted itself on the drum.

On rough floors or with too heavy pressure, comparatively large quantities of the steel wool may be torn loose from the drum and drawn into the vacuum nozzle. When this happens such quantities may be too great for the fan to handle, and so an inspection and clean-out opening is provided in the elbow 56, being normally covered by a closure 69 secured in place by one or more thumb screws When a waxed floor is being polished with the polishing brush 26, it is important that the pressure should not be too heavy, since it might clean the wax off rather than polish it, and, as previously stated, it is desirable at all times to lower the floor treating member gradually onto the floor. For this reason it is necessary that the handle be rigidly secured to the machine while it isin operation. At the same time, because of the different heights of operators, it is desirable that the handle be adjustable to different elevations. In the present invention both of these features are accomplished. The handle shaft I1 is pivoted With between lugs 13 formed on a bracket 14 which is secured to the motor I2 or may be secured to the frame II. A suitable bolt 16 passes through the lugs 13 and a fitting 11 on the bottom end of the handle shaft IT, thus preventing axial rotation of the shaft ll. Also pivoted to the bracket 14 along an axis substantially spaced from the lugs 13 are a pair of brace members 19 which are pivoted at their upper ends to a split collar 8| which is tightened by a hand screw 82 and which extends around the handle shaft l1. When the screw 82 is loosened, the collar 8| slides easily on the handle shaft l1, thus permitting the handle to be swung upwardly and downwardly about the bolt 16. When the hand screw 82 is tightened, however, the collar 8| is drawn tightly around the handle shaft l1 and anchored thereto so that movement of the handle shaft I1 is positively prevented.

From the foregoing it is seen that the preferred form of the present invention may be used satisfactorily for sanding, steel wooling or polishing, and that it is readily modified for adaptation to one or another of these purposes. It is also seen that the suction nozzle is easily adjusted to the most satisfactory position for such purpose, and that it may be easily cleaned. Furthermore, the machine is easily controlled by the handle which is made both rigid and adjustable in an improved and more convenient manner.

Although but one embodiment of my invention has been herein shown and described, it is tobe understood that numerous details thereof may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A floor treating machine including a frame, a treating drum mounted on a shaft, and bearing housings journalled onto said shaft and removably secured tosaid frame whereby said treating element and bearing housings may be removed as a unit for replacement by another such unit with a different treating element, with one of said bearing housings secured to the inside of one portion of said frame and the other bearing housing secured to the outside of an opposite corresponding portion of the frame, whereby when the securing means have been removed, said unit may be shifted laterally away from said portions but in only a single lateral direction.

2. A fioor treating machine including a frame, a treating drum mounted on a shaft, and bearing housings journalled onto said shaft and removably secured to said frame whereby said treating element and bearing housings may be removed as a unit for replacement by another such unit with a different treating element, with one of saidbearing housings secured to the inside of one portion of said frame and the other bearing housing secured to the outside of an opposite corresponding portion of the frame, whereby when the securing means have been removed, said unit may be shifted laterally and radially away from said portions, and a pin and hole engagement between said bearing members and said portions for accurately positioning said bearing housings independently of the securing means.

3. A floor treating machine including a frame, a treating drum mounted on a shaft, a driving belt connected with said shaft and bearing housings: journalled onto said shaft and including elongated radially extending plate structures, means for securing said plate structures rigidly to said frame but removable in a radial and sidewise direction whereby said treating element and bear; ing housings may be removed as a unit from said frame and belt for replacement by another such unit with a different treating element.

4. A floor treating machine including a frame, a motor on said frame, a drum driven by said motor, an abrasive surface on said drum, steel wool on said drum on the outside of said abrasive surface, and waste collecting apparatus including a suction nozzle positioned so close to the floor on which said machine is operating and so close behind said drum as substantially to prevent escape of particles of steel wool thrown from the bottom of said drum as it rotates, a suction fan connected to said nozzle by a suitable conduit, said nozzle being freely vertically movable in said frame and biased to rest on the floor whereby its position is automatically maintained as the steel wool is used up, and means for securing said nozzle in a position adjacent to said abrasive surface when the steel wool is removed therefrom.

5. A floor treating machine including a frame having side walls, a slot in each side wall opening from an edge thereof at the front portion of the frame, a treating drum mounted on a shaft, a drive pulley for said drum on said shaft, and a belt on said pulley, bearing housings journalled onto said shaft and including radially extending plate structures, said plates each having a run- Way on one side thereof corresponding in shape to the slots in said side walls, whereby said plates supporting said bearings, shaft and treating drum are slipped into said slots and secured against rotation thereby, with said plates assembled to provide the runway on the same side of each whereby the bearing housing-treating drum assembly may be shifted laterally out of the slots to facilitate removal of the belt from the drive pulley, and means extending through said plate and side walls for rigidly but removably securing said plates to said side walls.

6. A floor treating machine including a frame having side walls, a slot in each side wall opening from an edge thereof at the front portion of the frame, a treating drum mounted on a shaft, and bearing housings journalled onto said shaft and including radially extending plate structures, said plates each having a runway on one side thereof corresponding in shape to a slot in said side wall, whereby said plates supporting said bearings, shaft and treating drum, are placed in said slots and secured against rotation thereby, with said plates assembled to provide the runway on the same side of each whereby the bearing housingtreating drum assembly may be shifted laterally out of the slots, pin connections between each wall and corresponding plate positioning and supporting said plate but permitting lateral shifting, and securing means between said plates and said frame to rigidly retain them in said slots.

7. A floor-treating machine including a box-like frame having a top and downwardly extending sidewalls, a treating drum removably mounted on said sidewalls at the front thereof, dust collecting means at the rear of the frame including a suction nozzle extending forwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the rear of the treating drum, and adjusting means on said nozzle extending through a slot in a side wall between the front and rear thereof having fastening means thereon for adjustable frictional engagement with the sidewall.

FREDERICK E. WADHAMS. 

